as in shiver
an instance of shaking involuntarily with fear or cold
a shudder ran through him as he stepped outside into the snow
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
as in to shake
to make a series of small irregular or violent movements
huddled in the basement, we shuddered with fear as we heard the approaching tornado
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of shudder
David Denby, New Yorker, 23 May 2025
As the low drone grew louder, individual voices peeled off with microtonal shudders and ululations, and foghorn-like trombone blasts wormed their way through the vocal texture.
—Corinna Da Fonseca-Wollheim, New York Times, 1 May 2025
Chicago Tribune, 13 June 2025
This time around, the apex, at least for now, appears to have been March, as Trump’s pending April 2 Liberation Day tariffs, which were ultimately paused for 90 days after bond markets shuddered, approached.
—Ken Roberts, Forbes.com, 11 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for shudder
Noun
In some scenes, without much alteration in tone, reality slips away with a shudder.
—David Denby, New Yorker, 23 May 2025
As the low drone grew louder, individual voices peeled off with microtonal shudders and ululations, and foghorn-like trombone blasts wormed their way through the vocal texture.
—Corinna Da Fonseca-Wollheim, New York Times, 1 May 2025
Verb
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu continues to relentlessly attack the region, and to what end, leaves me shuddering.
—Chicago Tribune, 13 June 2025
This time around, the apex, at least for now, appears to have been March, as Trump’s pending April 2 Liberation Day tariffs, which were ultimately paused for 90 days after bond markets shuddered, approached.
—Ken Roberts, Forbes.com, 11 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for shudder
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shudder
Noun
-
Forecasts of empty shelves and higher toy prices send shivers through the Republican Party. House GOP members, who are split over many key budget decisions, are nonetheless cheerleading for unity and quick legislation.—
Kristina Karisch,
The Hill,
7 May 2025
-
The females’ eggs, fertilized by the males’ shivers, will hatch over the next few months.—
Kevin Fixler,
Idaho Statesman,
5 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
Chinese President Xi Jinping, left, and Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić shaking hands after signing bilateral documents during a meeting in Belgrade, Serbia, on May 8, 2024.—
Ryan Chan,
MSNBC Newsweek,
15 July 2025
-
Nikki Bella and Lola Vice were shaking their hips in the middle of the ring, and Wade Barrett encouraged Michael Cole to show them what he’s got.—
Alfred Konuwa,
Forbes.com,
14 July 2025
Noun
-
Furman is one of a kind: a trans, devoutly Jewish former rabbinical student who’s written a book about Lou Reed and sings folk-punk songs in a mercurial tremble.—
Spencer Kornhaber,
The Atlantic,
22 May 2025
-
Valeria leaves guard duties to Ellen, a grandmother with a constant tremble in her hands from her MS.—
James Grebey,
Vulture,
17 Oct. 2024
Verb
-
Having already had to navigate a 180-degree turn around a roundabout at 80km per hour, the road jerked to the left with around 1.6km remaining and, with some riders forced wide, the group was split.—
Jacob Whitehead,
New York Times,
12 July 2025
-
The passenger jerked forward and their belongings were thrown to the floor.—
Abhirup Roy,
USA Today,
27 June 2025
Verb
-
Narrow branches quivered with the arrival of house finches, gray catbirds, northern cardinals, and other species residing in Washington, DC.—
The Editors,
JSTOR Daily,
27 June 2025
-
Those emotional generators are apparent on the title track, a minimal hymn of salvation wrapped in Springsteen’s quivering voice.—
Melissa Ruggieri,
USA Today,
24 June 2025
Verb
-
Somewhere around hour two of not moving, my hamstrings began to vibrate like the low end of a baby grand.—
Peter Rubin,
Longreads,
8 July 2025
-
Their beating wings vibrate, inadvertently loosening pollen, which then falls onto the female part of the flower.—
Nan Sterman,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
6 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Shudder.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shudder. Accessed 23 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share